Ah--did Mr.Bloodgood invite--er--any of you to come into the--ah--game ?" Frank fancied he saw a sudden light.

Was it possible Mr.Slush was looking for "suckers ?" Was it possible he had been sent there to inveigle them into the party, so that some sharp might "skin" them?
It did not seem improbable.
Harry seemed to catch onto the same idea, for he popped up in his bunk suddenly, but a sudden roll of the steamer caused him to sink down again with a groan.
Diamond's eyes began to glitter.

He, too, fancied he saw the little game.
"No," said Merry, slowly, "he did not invite any of us to come in." The little man seemed relieved.
"I--I didn't know," he faltered.

"If he had--I--I was going to say something.

Perhaps it is not--necessary." "Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say it." "And it may do some hurt--to you," muttered Diamond under his breath.